NOVEL WEB Chapter 425
“…From today, you will become the next Duke of Quartz.”
“Yes. I will carry on your legacy and lead the Quartz family.”
I slipped the ring I had prepared onto Melissa’s pinky finger. Instead of her usual smiling face, Melissa watched me with a solemn expression as I placed the ring.
“Today, I transfer all rights of the Duke of Quartz to you, Melissa Quartz. I will not interfere in the business of the Duke’s family from now on.”
I gently turned my head. Many eyes were watching me.
Among them were my children, my subordinates, and my wives.
“Melissa, I’ve taught you how to handle the family’s affairs for years, so I believe you will do well.”
“Yes, Father. I will meet your expectations.”
“And… I’m passing this on to you as well.”
I handed the magic book to Melissa.
[What should I call the contractor now? Former contractor?]
“This is…”
“Rue, even though you won’t often see it in book form, I will completely transfer ownership to you. If anything comes up, I will borrow Rue’s power. She’s quite capable in her own right.”
[In my own right! I’ve always been capable!]
“Thank you, Father.”
So, the Duke’s family is now in Melissa’s hands. I felt a strange sensation as I turned my body. Now, there was no reason for me to be tied to this damned Empire.
One reason I was bound to the Empire was to provide a good environment for my children. Now that they’ve grown up, except for the youngest, they should be able to manage their own lives.
“Johann, great job.”
“I no longer have to deal with annoying government work.”
Having run various businesses as a duke, I was buried under a mountain of work. Now that I passed that burden to my daughter, I felt much more at ease.
…This all feels a bit odd, though.
Anyway, my name should no longer be mentioned outside.
The royal family won’t have any reason to call for me, and the world is so peaceful that not a single incident has occurred, and the outsiders show no signs of eyeing this place.
…I suppose turning the observer into the guard dog of the house was the biggest advantage.
The mediocre outsiders flee in terror upon seeing the observer, making it impossible for any danger to approach this world.
So now I can live as a backroom old man carefree. I still have plenty of days left to live, and given my status, dying due to old age isn’t going to happen, so I should just relax and enjoy my grandchildren’s antics.
…Though I only have Lucy, who somehow ended up marrying someone from her school days. Maybe after a few more years, my garden will be filled with grandchildren.
I wonder if the grandkids will recognize me as their grandfather. My face hasn’t changed in over 20 years. Though considering the bags under my eyes, that actually makes me look a bit better?
It’s rather that my wives haven’t aged at all, so trends in the social circles include makeup and beauty methods adopted by them.
In the first place, those sources of youth are connected to how I relate to them, so it’s not something I could copy even if I tried…
“Johann, let’s go travel a lot now!”
“Travel? That doesn’t sound bad.”
With work keeping me busy, I haven’t been able to go far except during holidays.
It’s been 40 years since I settled in this world.
Having saved the world and ensured our family could survive three generations regardless of any downfall, it’s time to rest. It wouldn’t be bad to let the kids play among themselves while I take my wives on a world tour.
“Still, leaving the kids alone feels a bit uneasy…”
“Theo can handle himself, so don’t worry. He is the youngest professor ever, after all.”
He got a job as a professor at the Academy, thanks to his mother’s genius, so there’s no point worrying. The other kids have also somewhat settled down…
“Dear, where are you planning to travel?”
“We can decide that now. The world has changed quite a bit over the decades.”
“Well, that’s true. The knight orders seem somewhat useless now and they’ve become half-hearted as well…”
Renny looked longingly toward the training grounds of the knight order, having led and trained them right up to her retirement, so it was no surprise she felt a sense of loss.
“One day, the knight order will shine again.”
“Ugh, I don’t want that.”
Renny shuddered at the thought. Even I thought it wasn’t a particularly good situation.
“They’ll figure it out on their own. We raised them well enough.”
“True…”
“I hope Tina and Tiny do well too…”
“…They said they are aiming for the chancellor position, so they should become a bit more restrained now.”
“Heh, isn’t it possible they’ll end up taking over the entire Empire?”
“…That’s about Seria, right? Karina?”
“I heard she’s in a good mood with the Crown Prince.”
“I never thought it would come to that…what’s up with you, Uncle?”
“Suddenly using that old nickname, huh?”
“I just…want to call you that. We don’t need to be formal anymore, do we?”
The youthful Viola clung to my arm. Her warmth enveloped me.
“Feels like old times.”
Has it already been over 20 years?
“Heh, it would be nice to leisurely enjoy a date in the capital.”
“Should I go on a date with Claire before traveling?”
In the warm atmosphere, discussing what to do next was quite enjoyable, as there was no one to stop us now that we tossed aside all our titles.
Now we could leisurely explore the changed world, create new memories, spend peaceful time with our grandchildren, and then…
…No. Let’s not think about that.
It’s still far too early to think about parting. That’s at least several decades away.
For now, we just needed to enjoy this moment. By then, we could simply return to the Quartz mansion.
Ah, inviting Grandma over after such a long time could be a nice option too.
“Johann, what are you thinking about?”
“Just happy thoughts.”
“Hehe.”
A soft sensation brushed against my lips. No need to say it was Karina’s kiss. We shared a passionate kiss as if we reverted to that day decades ago.
“Cheater~”
“I told you it’s still hot…”
“I don’t think Renny is in a position to say that…We did it five times just the other day…”
“Hey, that just happened…”
“It’s not just Renny; now that I’m this age and still enjoying things this hot…”
“Still, at night it heats up.”
“If only we hadn’t practiced safe sex, we could have filled half the house with kids…”
“…Why don’t we all just stop talking about this and plan our trip instead?”
How long are we going to discuss this topic?
At my words, my wives all turned their gazes toward me.
“Should we?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Hehe, where shall we go first?”
“I want to go to the sea first!”
“I’m good anywhere as long as I’m with Johann!”
“Uncle can decide. No matter where we go… it’ll be nice to be with Uncle.”
Is that so?
“Well then…”
After some deliberation, I voiced the first travel destination.
—————————
“Mom, Grandpa was really amazing, right? I heard he’s even in the textbooks!”
“He was indeed an impressive person. He saved the world… and made it possible for us to live like this.”
Melissa looked down at her daughter sitting on her lap with a happy smile. Now that the Empire was fully stabilized, the Quartz family was thriving under her guidance.
The business was successful, and contrary to being a rising family, they were steadily building their reputation and could confidently be called one of the key families in the Empire.
She was enjoying the best days as the female head of the Quartz family and a mother.
“But is it okay to just stay like this? Didn’t you say that Seria is coming today?”
“Is Aunt Seria coming today?!”
“That’s right. You were so eager to see her, weren’t you?”
“Wow!”
The child smiled brightly like a blooming flower, thinking of her aunt and the Empress, Seria. She adored Seria. The romantic tale between Seria and the Emperor during their school days was enough to captivate many women’s hearts.
She was one of those enamored by the love story of Seria and the Emperor.
“I hope she comes soon!”
“Don’t act too rude, okay? Got it?”
“Okay!”
“Now, go back to your room and prepare to welcome our guest.”
Melissa watched her daughter dash out of the room with a gentle smile on her lips.
‘I need to tell her to mind her manners, but… today I can let it slide.’
Melissa rose from her seat and approached the window.
Outside the window, the lush forest showcased its vibrant presence.
‘I wonder if Father is doing well…’
Today, her father’s image came to her mind. Melissa closed her eyes and recalled her ever-supportive father.
Now, it had become difficult to see her father, who had retreated to a remote countryside.
“…Sigh. I need to finish my work before Seria arrives…”
Melissa returned to her desk and picked up her pen.
As the head of the Quartz family, she had work to do.
And with that, the day in the Duke’s household began to unfold.